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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Review: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

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Perfect Scoundrels
by Ally Carter
Published February 2013
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary from Goodreads: Katarina Bishop and
W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat
comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while
Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the
world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both
know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they
want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in
Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line.

When Hale
unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he
quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his
new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she
gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in
an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the
heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as
she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an
ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare
attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but
first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's
company if it means losing the boy.

Ally Carter knows how to get the perfect combination of fun and heart. Her books always leave me wishing her characters would pop out of the pages and be my friends, or that I could go in and live their life. Perfect Scoundrels was no exception. Kat and the gang are so much fun to read about, and their hijinks always make me go "They're doing what?!?!" in the best way possible. This book, the third in the series, has a slightly more personal focus than the other two. The plot revolves around Hale and his previously mysterious family. We learn a lot (though still not as much as any Hale fan would like) about the Hale's and how our Hale came to be part of the Kat's world. Maddeningly, we still don't learn Hale's first name. Reading about Hale and having that personal connection was a nice change of pace. However, it took away from the fantastic dynamic between the secondary characters that I love so much. Most of this book revolved around Kat and Hale, and their worlds colliding. The beloved secondary characters were all featured, but not as much as they have been before. I hope that they will be up front and center in the next novel.The plot, of course, involves a heist. A heist that grows continuously more complicated as the novel goes on. I will tell you, there was a scene in this book that made me gasp out loud because it was so intense, but also completely brilliant. If I ever need to rob anyone, I'm going to ask Ally Carter to plan the heist for me, because girl has some ideas. The plans Kat and her friends come up with are extremely entertaining.Perfect Scoundrels has set up the tone for the next books in the series to possibly be a bit more serious; a bit less frivolous. By learning more about Hale, we are also investing ourselves more in these characters. Hopefully the next novels continue to work off that character development. Perfect Scoundrels is a fast, fun read that is full of so much heart yours might burst. It is a solid addition to the series, and I am looking forward to the next one immensely.

5 comments:

I'm so glad that you enjoyed Perfect Scoundrels too Taylor. I agree it does take a more serious path, especially with everything that Hale has to deal with. But I still enjoyed this book, I can't wait to read more from these fantastic characters! Great review! :)

I love this series so much. It was interesting to see more about Hale's other life and was surprised that the tone wasn't quite as "fun" as the other two in the series. Like you, I hope the rest of the crew get more attention in the upcoming books. Great review!-Natalie @Natflix&Books

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Lifelong lover of literature, Harry Potter fangirl, college student. Sometimes I write about books and sometimes I write about life, but they're usually the same thing. Motto: Drink coffee, read books, be happy.